SMURF MOVIE
Want to learn about the brand new Smurf movie? Want the gossip on when it will come out and when you can see the new Smurf movie in the theater? Then this page is for you! Whether it's release dates, Smurf CGI information, or anything related to the computer generated 3D Smurf movie, you'll find it here!
What is the blue buzz around the new Smurfs Movie?
They've been trying to get this Smurf film off the ground since 2002. Smurf fans young and old have waited 'til they turned blue with anticipation for the new Smurf movie to come out! What will the story be? Will all of our favorite Smurfs like Hefty, Handy, Jokey, and Vanity be on the big screen? What will the 3D Smurfs look like? And just how will this classic 1980s cartoon translate into modern times? Bluebuddies.com is the place to be for Smurf movie info and we'll keep you up-to-date with all of the behind-the-scenes smurfiness...so check this page regularly!
The Smurf Movie
The Smurf movie is a brand new Smurf film that will be released in movie theaters worldwide. The movie will be produced by Kerner Entertainment and distributed under Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation.
The Smurfs will be a 3-D CGI movie, completely rendered in three dimensions using computers - unlike the original Smurfs cartoon show, which is 2D. Columbia Pictures Chairman Amy Pascal has stated that, "there was potentially a series of films in the making" - the movie is planned to be released in three parts, as a trilogy. The Smurfs movie will be released in both 3D (glasses) and 2D (standard) formats.
Principal photography for the Smurf Movie began March 26, 2010.
Smurf Movie Poster by Vic George
Smurf Movie Trailer - Released March 10, 2011
Smurf Movie Teaser - Released June 16, 2010
Live actors in the Smurfs movie?
Yes, much like the Alvin and The Chipmunks movie, The Smurf Movie will feature 3D CG animation and live action / live actors. Sony Pictures Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton, who grew up loving the Smurfs in the Netherlands, personally suggested the "hybrid 3D live action" idea to producer Jordan Kerner.
Smurf 3D Effects
Character animation and visual effects will be created by Imageworks. Check out the initial Smurf 3D modeling below.
When does the Smurf Movie arrive in theaters?
The Smurf Movie release date has been changed three times so far. The film was originally slated for November 28, 2008 to correspond with the Smurfs 50th anniversary.
The next release date for the Smurfs movie was December 17, 2010. The 2010 date was confirmed by Matt Lauer during the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade which featured the Smurfs. Production at the Plant 5 studio in Bethpage, NY was shutdown in September 2009 due to a script re-write.
The movie now has a tentative release date of July 29, 2011.
The Smurfs will return after these messages:
Who are the Smurfs?
The Smurfs are little blue buddies who live in a secret village in the forest. Click here to read our delightful introduction to the Smurfs.
Theme of the Smurf Movie?
Originally, it was thought that the Smurfs would continue to exist in medieval times, along with dragons and other familiar characters. It now appears the Smurfs will be placed in the modern world. It is exciting to guess what surprises the movie will bring!
Producer Jordan Kerner has stated that the Gargamel backstory will be explored and revealed as the movie progresses. The film is to be an epic adventure in the vein of The Lord of the Rings.
BlueBuddies friend, SmurfyD1983 reports that the film opens with Gargamel foiled once more at his attempt to catch a Smurf. Gargamel is angry at his failure and realizes that he may die without succeeding. So he casts an eternal spell on himself (and Azrael) so that one day, eventually... he may capture one of our blue friends! The movie then sets itself up for a modern tale: Clumsy Smurf gets lost (mistaken for a Smurf plush by child Sam) and it's up to Papa and the rest of the Smurfs to save Clusmy (and Clumsy's new friends) - as well as defeat Gargamel and Azrael!
As of the end of May 2010, the Smurf Movie script was updated again. The children, Sophie and Sam, have been written out. Now the Smurfs and Gargamel go through a magical portal and wind up in Central Park. Gargamel and Azrael chase after the Smurfs in New York. Johan is in Central Park, and the Smurfs decide to hide in his backpack to avoid Gargamel.
Writers, Directors and Producers
Raja Gosnell will direct the Smurfs Movie. Gosnell has previously directed both Scooby-Doo and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Kerner Entertainment's Ben Haber will oversee script development and will also executive produce the film (along with Paul Neesan). Shrek 3 and Jimmy Neutron writers, David Weiss and David Stem, are slated to write the screenplay. Audrey Wells will provide script polishing.
Although this is no longer valid, previously, when the Smurf Movie was to be released by Paramount, the writer was to be Herb Ratner, in his feature debut. Under Paramount and Nickelodeon's pervue, the Smurf movie was to be directed by Colin Brady (an uncredited director of the family friendly 3D animated film, "Everyone's Hero") and Norton Virgen (of Rugrats movie fame).
Official Smurf Movie Teaser
Smurf Voice Actors
Jonathan Winters will voice Papa Smurf
Papa Smurf - Jonathan Winters
Veteran actor and comedian Jonathan Winters will voice Papa Smurf in the new Smurf movie.
Jonathan is old and wise like Papa Smurf, so he is a good choice. Mr. Winters also provides a link to the past... he also voiced ancillary characters on the original Hanna Barbera Smurf cartoon!
Katy Perry voices Smurfette
Smurfette - Katy Perry
Singer Katy Perry voices Smurfette in the Smurfs movie!
Smurfette has always been about attitude and emotion so Katy Perry should bring a lot to the table.
Will Katy be as successful as her 1980s counterpart Tiffany, the pop-star who voiced Judy Jetson in The Jetsons Movie? Time will tell!
Interview with Hank Azaria talking about Gargamel
Gargamel - Hank Azaria
Hank Azaria is Gargamel!
Finally, after much waiting, Gargamel has been revealed! The famous Simpsons' voice actor has been officially cast as Gargamel.
Wallace Shawn will not voice Gargamel
Gargamel - Wallace Shawn
Although Shawn was up for the role of Gargamel, the part ultimately went to Hank Azaria.
Wallace Shawn was a great choice to play Gargamel though - he certainly has the bald look down pat, and was a good fit for the part. Wallace has a distinctive and exciting voice that could have really livened up the movie.
Actor
Character
Paul Reubens
Jokey Smurf
John Oliver
Vanity Smurf
Kenan Thompson
Greedy Smurf
Fred Armisen
Brainy Smurf
B.J. Novak
Baker Smurf
Wolfgang Puck
Chef Smurf
Gary Basaraba
Hefty Smurf
Anton Yelchin
Clumsy Smurf
Jeff Foxworthy
Handy Smurf
George Lopez
Grouchy Smurf
Alan Cumming
Gutsy Smurf
Jonathan Winters
Papa Smurf
Katy Perry
Smurfette
Sofía Vergara
Odile
Tim Gunn
Cosmetic Co. Exec. Asst.
Hank Azaria
Gargamel
Jayma Mays
Grace Winslow
Neil Patrick Harris
Patrick Winslow
Who will provide the voices for the Smurf movie? The original Papa Smurf and Gargamel voice actors are definitely out of the running: Paul Winchell, who voiced Gargamel, passed away in 2005, and Don Messick, who voiced Papa Smurf and Azrael passed in 1997. Danny Goldman, the voice of Brainy Smurf, was heard as recently as 2005 on a special Robot Chicken Smurfs episode. As well, Lucille Bliss, who voiced Smurfette, is both alive and well - and could have provided the definitive "Smurfette" voice for the movie. Since this 3D movie is a Hollywood creation, though, American film stars are being used (as opposed to using traditonal "voice actors"). It seems one actual voice actor has been cast, Hilary Haag, who anime fans will know from her various characters such as "Milk Chan" in Super Milk Chan.
It should be noted that the most recent Smurf cartoons (made for the Smurf videogames series) have been made in France and feature foreign actors - not the voice actors we know and love. Indeed, the French animated videogame shorts do not look or sound much like the Hanna Barbera Smurfs we are familiar with.
Smurf Movie Rumors
Movie stars attached to the Smurf movie included: Wallace Shawn, Ben Affleck, Sally Field, John Lithgow, Lucy Liu, Ben Stiller, Julia Sweeney and Marisa Tomei. At one point, at the begining of March 2010, director and sometime actor Quentin Tarantino was in line to voice Brainy Smurf. Many people have strong opinions about Quentin, and some may have thought he was ideal to play an abrasive Brainy. By April 2010, though, it was revealed that Tarantino would not appear in the movie - the role went to Fred Armisen. Although it was speculated for a long time that Neil Patrick Harris was playing Johan, it was confirmed on 06/30/2010 that his character's actual name is Patrick Winslow, the husband of Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays).
Leaked Movie Pics
Hank Azaria has been spotted out and about in New York in full Gargamel attire! Doesn't he look smurfy... or should we say unsmurfy?
Gargamel and Cat
The Smurfs' Evil Enemy Gargamel
Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays :
Neil Patrick Harris as Johan
Jayma Mays and a Smurf
Audition Calls for the Smurfs Movie
Four roles were open for audition:
Grace (age 26-35) is a first-time expectant mother who is faced with juggling both an overworked husband and, ultimately, a household full of Smurfs! Should be lovely, maternal and have good comedic energy. A major supporting role.
Jayma Mays from FOX's Glee has been cast as Grace.
Odile (age late 20's to mid-40's) is a beautiful, charming (when she chooses to be), high-powered foreign executive. Odile runs a high-end French cosmetics company. Strong comedic ability essential. A major supporting role. Foreign includes: European (French, Spanish, Italian), British, Latin American, French Canadian, etc.
Sofía Vergara from ABC's Modern Family has been cast as Odile.
Sophie (age 8-10), is an imaginative, appealing and "original" girl who is rather socially awkward and doesn't fit in with the other kids. Intelligent and open, Sophie is physically clumsy. She discovers that the doll her Dad brought home from Belgium is actually a real-life Smurf (Clumsy) and she tries to get the family to embrace him and the rest of the Smurfs.
Sophie was eventually removed from the Smurfs movie script at the end of May 2010. The character of Sophie is not present in the theatrical release of the movie.
Sam (age 14-15) is the brother of Sophie. Sam is going through a developmental phase where he is often withdrawn, difficult to deal with and he often retreats to his room to play videogames. When Sam gets involved in the Smurfs' quest to get home, he re-connects with his family and sister.
Near the end of May 2010, the character of Sam was axed from the film.
Movie Smurf Figurines
Six 3D movie figurines will be released in celebration of the Smurfs movie - each figure being a central character from the film. The six Smurf Figurines are:
3D Smurf Figures
Smurf Movie Figures
20729
Papa Smurf
20730
Clumsy Smurf
20731
Smurfette
20732
Gutsy Smurf
20733
Grouchy Smurf
20734
Brainy Smurf
Is there a Smurf Movie website?
Yes! As of 06/16/2010 the official Smurf movie website is: smurfhappens.com. The international version of the Smurfs movie website is located at thesmurfs-movie.net. Another Smurf movie website did exist though. Paramount and Nickelodeon released a website in 2008, but it consists of a single picture. Now that Columbia and Sony Animation are involved, the information should be considered historical. Note the teaser that was to be released in June 2008. The website is a presented in its entirety below:
SmurfHappens.com features the domestic version of the Smurfs teaser trailer, and thesmurfs-movie.net features the foreign Smurf Movie teaser trailer. The new Smurf websites also feature the following smurfy animation:
Looking to buy Smurf DVD and videos right now? Click here for Smurf cartoon videos for sale!
Who is releasing the Smurf movie?
Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation will release the new Smurfs movie. The Smurf Movie is Sony Pictures Animation's first CG film. Interestingly, Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies were originally slated to release this film - they still have the option to co-finance and distribute the movie internationally under Sony and Columbia's banner.
Smurf Movie 3D Models
If Warner owns the Smurfs cartoons, why is Sony releasing the movie?
That is a very good question. Wouldn't it make sense for Warner Bros., who own the Hanna-Barbera Cartoons and the famous "la la la la la la" Smurf Song, to release the Smurf movie? Time Warner could release the Smurf Movie in theaters and also re-release the classic animated Smurfs cartoon on DVD at the same time. Indeed, it would probably be a very profitable DVD release due to the tremendous interest generated by the 3D Smurf movie. This synergy may never be achieved, however, because Sony and Time Warner are competitors, and there is little chance Time Warner will help promote Sony's movie in any way. This also means that the classic Smurf song may not be included in the Sony film, or in the Smurf movie advertising and promotion. So why Sony (not Time Warner) is distributing the Smurfs movie is definitely a quandary. All this speculation is really moot, though: Sony, is releasing the Smurf film domestically, and the first Smurf TV show DVD was released with great fanfare by Warner Video. In the end, it appears there are enough smufberries to go around and keep all the interested parties happy.
Smurf Movie Poster
A poster was leaked February 1, 2010. It features a waving, fully 3D Smurf. The Smurf is much more articulated and detailed than previously released renders, so it looks like things are moving along smurfingly!
Are you Excited Yet? You Should Be!
Smurf fans have wanted a proper Smurf movie since the cartoon debuted in the 1980s - and we've been waiting for decades now.
Finally, after all these years, Sony will be animating our little blue buddies in 3d glory, done in full Hollywood style - we can't wait to see it! Keep reading this movie news page, and this message forum page for up-to-the-minute Smurf movie updates!
Smurf Question? ... ask the experts in the Smurf Forum.
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